Container with foldable load platform

ABSTRACT

Container with foldable load platform intended for transporting different pieces, so that once the container assembly is empty; it can be folded occupying a reduced space. It is characterized in that it comprises a foldable load container having two opposite side walls with the addition of a central folding line ( 5 ) and two side folding lines ( 6 ) parallel and separated by a distance from the corner joints ( 7 ) of adjacent side walls. Therefore some characteristic inner spaces are created in the folded position of the load container, which allow housing different fastening elements therein, unlike conventionally occurs wherein housing these fastening elements within the inside fold of load container is not possible.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, as the title of this specification states,relates to a container with foldable load platform which is the of typeincluding a platform as a pallet, a load container that is foldable anda lid for covering the assembly, both in folded position and in unfoldedor work position, that is when the container is filled with the productor products to be transported and/or contained.

On this premise, the objective of the invention is a new method forfolding the load container, characteristic structure of which allows afold that creates an inner space for maintaining fastening elementstherein that are required to hold the products to be contained andtransported, with the load container being in the unfolded position,unlike other containers in which it is required to remove these elementsincluded into the container before folding, since if these are notremoved the fold of the respective container could not be performed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently containers with foldable load platform generally comprising alower platform as a base, a foldable load container itself and a lid forcovering the assembly, both in folded position and in the unfoldedposition are known.

These load containers usually includes different fastening elementstherein in order to separate the load or holding the same by separatingsome parts from others, so that when folding it is required topreviously remove these fastening elements and place them on theplatform next to the folded load container.

When unfolding is performed, it will be required to replace again thefastening elements within the load container and so on.

It should be noted that the structure of folding lines existing in theseload containers does not allow maintain the fastening elements withinsuch containers in the folded position, the need of having to remove andintroduce such fastening elements constituting a drawback.

The German Invention Patent with publication number DE 102004006416relates to a reusable packaging for transporting piece goods, with abottom (1) and side walls (2-5) dismountable from the bottom wherewithhave to be arranged during the transport of the container as an emptyproduct. in the grouped state (25) on the bottom (1). Characterized inthat it includes additional side walls (14-17), height of which is lessthan the height of the side walls (2-5) that have been mentioned in thefirst place and that, in addition to transport space for the side walls(2-5) grouped together, provide additional transport space (27) to themeans for packaging the piece product inside the container.

It is also known the Spanish patent ES 2211800 T3 related to a foldablecontainer which basically comprises a structure as that described in theinitial statement of this paragraph of the background, its first claimbeing characterized in that the bottom or support floor support (13) ofthe load container is fixed as a flip-top piece or a plurality offlip-top pieces (14) to one or respectively to a plurality of side walls(3) of the load container load.

These two mentioned patents include load containers, fold of which doesnot allow maintaining the different fastening elements therein, i.e.these have to be removed before folding and then placed them back insidein the unfolded position, before introducing the load again.

In all cases, the foldable structure of the container allows the emptyreturn of the containers with a reduced volume, presenting however inall cases, the drawback of not being able to include the variousfastening elements into the folded position, such as referred above.

As for the retention and fixation elements of the walls of the containerto the base platform, where the mentioned walls are unfolded, thecontainers of the state of the art generally have latches that are fixedto the walls. These latches, 2 on each side of the container are usuallylocated at the container base and are manually actuated. To perform theretention and fixation of the walls, the mentioned walls have someholes, usually reinforced with an extra piece, through which theretaining latch passes.

On the other hand, the German Invention Patent mentioned above includessmall side partition walls (15) linked to the base or base platform,lifting the mounting height of the lid in order to create enough spacefor further returning the foldable parts, various elements used in thetransportation of goods inside the container. These elements are ingeneral support bars, partition walls, retention pieces, bags,separators, necklaces, etc.

Other documents related to the invention are the following:

-   -   Spanish Invention Patent with publication number 2117187.    -   French Invention Patent with application number 9007090.    -   Spanish Utility Model with number application U96018028.    -   Spanish Utility Model with number application U9602755.    -   German Invention Patent with publication number DE19806075.    -   German Invention Patent with publication number DE102005059950.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the objectives and avoid the drawbacks mentioned inthe preceding paragraphs, the invention proposes a container withfoldable load platform initially comprising a platform base, a loadcontainer that is foldable, and a lid for covering the assembly both ina folded situation and in an unfolded or work situation, when the loadcontainer is ready for loading the goods therein.

The base platform may be of the type including a perimeter partitionwall that defines a lower space wherein the folded container is stored,being hidden thanks to the lid setting over said perimeter partitionwall.

In turn, the container comprises four side walls with a rectangularplantar configuration, but it could also have a quadrilateral shape.

On this premise, a first feature of the invention is that the containerincludes in two of its side walls of a central folding line and two sidefolding lines that do not coincide with the corner joints of adjacentside walls as occurs in all conventional containers of this type,instead those two side folding sheets are close and parallel to thecorner aforementioned joints, which creates some characteristic innerspaces within the container in the folded position that allowmaintaining various fastening elements therein, which are required tobetter hold the load within the container or to distribute the same in acertain way.

Thus, the folded position of the container in question creates two pairsof faced end portions of opposite side walls adjacent to the cornerjoints of the side walls. In turn, the folded position creates twocentered angular portions housed within the load container.

This load container may comprise the four mentioned side walls withbottom or without bottom.

In the first case the outer bottom will be determined by, for example,the upper face of the platform base.

Other features of the invention relate to the structure showed bydifferent fastening elements that include the load container therein,and which do not need to be removed when folding the load container.

It is thus possible different embodiments of the fastening elementsinside the container, some of which may be simultaneously folded andunfolded when folding and unfolding the container.

In this way, the space defined by the perimeter partition wall of thebase platform will be only used to house the load container in itsfolded position without requiring increasing said space for housingother fastening elements as has been conventionally the case.

It could also be the possibility of dispense the small perimeterpartition wall of the base platform, wherewith the lid could include aperimeter skirt support allowable height of which would allow housingthe container in folded position.

The invention also covers the provision of two preferred embodiments ofthe system for retaining and fixing the walls of the container to thebase platform of the container. In a first embodiment, the system is aretention system via ramp and locking pin. At the base of the containera ramp is placed on the sides wherein the wall has the fold. The ramp,starting from the load surface of the base, goes into the perimeterchannel wherein the walls are placed in their unfolded positionpenetrating the side wall through a hole made in the mentioned wall.Furthermore, in the inner side walls of said channel, placed a littledistanced from the center in order to avoid the hinging area of thewalls, is located the retention element.

This element, when the walls are placed in position, penetrates througha window made in the walls. In this way, when the walls tend to bedislodged from their position meet the retention element. However, ifthe walls are pulled by their folding side inwards and outwards thewalls can be dislodged from their position. This is achieved through theconfiguration of the undercut of the retention element, the shape of thereinforcing window presented by the walls in their holes and the shapeand final tilting of the ramp.

In a second preferred embodiment of the mentioned retention and fixationsystem the system is a retention system via latch cable knob. In thissystem in the peripheral channel of the base wherein the walls arefolded, a rod is placed as a bridge. At the same height, in the walls anautomatic latch system is placed, which, when the walls are placed insite it is embedded in the previous bridge. This latch system is alwaysin closed position thanks to a spring or similar, and for releasingthereof a tension member is actuated. The tension member can be operatedin a comfortable and ergonomic manner from the upper edge of the walls,through a pulling handle.

Both two preferred embodiments of the retention and fixation systempresents advantages over the state of the art in that these improve theergonomics of the system because the user has not to bend or trigger theusual 4 latches, and it also provides a faster, easier and directassembly, i.e. with the same maneuver of placing the walls, the fixationis being performed.

Next, to facilitate a better understanding of this specification andbeing an integral part thereof some figures wherein the object of theinvention has been represented in an illustrative and not limitativemanner are attached.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Shows a perspective view of the container with foldable loadplatform, object of the invention. It basically comprises a baseplatform, a load container and a lid. The load container is foldable,emphasizing that in the folded position maintaining inside variousfastening elements of the load contained within the container ispossible.

FIG. 2. Shows a schematic view of the load container in folded position.

FIGS. 3 to 6.—Show various embodiments of the load container withdifferent structures and configurations of the fastening elements.

FIG. 7.—Shows a general view of a first preferred embodiment of theretention and fixation system. FIGS. 8 and 9.—Show a detailed view ofthe fixing holes of the first preferred embodiment of the retention andfixation system.

FIGS. 10 and 11.—Show a detailed view of the fixing elements of thepreferred embodiment of the retention and fixation system.

FIG. 12.—Shows a general view of a second preferred embodiment of theretention and fixation system.

FIGS. 13 to 18.—Show a detailed view of the elements of the secondpreferred embodiment of the retention and fixation system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Considering the numbering adopted in the figures, the container withfoldable load platform includes a platform base 1 provided with a smallperimeter partition wall 2 of low height, a load container 3 that isfoldable and a lid 4 for covering the assembly in the folded positionhiding the folded load container 3 within the space defined by the smallperimeter partition wall 2, which lid 4 that in this case will becoupled in correspondence with the free edge of said small perimeterpartition wall 2.

The lid 4 will also cover the mouth of the load container 3 in theunfolded position of use.

The load container 3 has a rectangular plantar configuration, such loadcontainer 3 comprising four side walls, opposite in pairs, so that twoopposite side walls are affected with a central folding line 5 and twoside folding lines 6 arranged in those same opposite side walls inproximity and parallel to the corner joints 7 that are jointly connectedto the adjacent side walls.

Therefore some characteristic inner spaces 8 are generated within theload container 3 in the folded position, that allow maintaining insidevarious fastening elements that are required to immobilize or attachdifferent types of loads, contrary to what happens conventionally whereload containers cannot house these fastening elements therein in thefolded position due to the folding system, whereby it is necessary toremove such fastening elements prior to folding, and then install theminside the unfolded container. It is also noted that in the invention athand the fastening elements can be firmly attached to the load containerload.

The folded position of the load container 3 forms two pairs of endportions 9 of side walls adjacent to the corner joints 7 of the sidewalls. In turn, the folded position creates two centered angularportions 10 housed within the respective load container 3 in the foldedposition.

The load container 3 can include a foldable bottom 11 as shown in FIG.3. In this case such bottom 11 includes a centered separation line 12parallel to the corner joints in such bottom 11 with the two respectiveopposite side walls.

In a first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the fastening elements comprisefixed stops 13, jointly connected to the inner faces of the side walls,both of the different parts 9′ and 10 of the opposite walls that arefolded and the other two paired walls.

In a second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the fastening elements comprisesome separator plates 14 which in turn can support combs 15. Saidseparator plates 14 are joined to the side walls having no foldinglines.

In a third embodiment shown in FIG. 4 the fastening elements comprisesome separator plates 14 associated with foldable packages 16 thatdefine separate compartments.

In a fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the fastening elements comprisea set of parallel bars 17 fixed through their ends to vertical columns18 arranged in correspondence with the faced end portions 9 incorrespondence with the corner joints 7 of the side walls. In this case,on the mentioned parallel bars 17 lamellar pieces 19 hanging from saidbars 17 are coupled.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, on the centered angular portions10 some fixed combs 15 are fixed.

Another possibility shown in FIG. 1 could consist of a crisscross oflamellar bodies 20 hanging from two parallel bars 17 arranged asdescribed above.

In another preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, the retentionsystem included in the container is a retention system via a ramp andlocking pin comprising:

-   -   At least one ramp (23) for each of the two opposite side walls        including a central folding line (5), the at least one ramp (23)        being situated in the loading surface of the base (1).    -   At least one locking pin (24) for each of the two opposite side        walls including a central folding line (5) located in the        loading area of the base (1);    -   At least one hole (21, 22) in each of the two opposite side        walls including a central folding line (5) through which the at        least one ramp and the at least one pin are introduced. The hole        through which the locking pin (24) is inserted has a        reinforcement comprising two pieces that are fixed on each other        on both sides of the hole as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

In another preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 to 18, the retentionsystem is a retention system via a latch and cable knob comprising:

-   -   A rod (32) as a bridge located in the peripheral channels of        each of the two opposite side walls including a central folding        line (5).    -   An automatic latch system (28) located at the same height of the        rod in each of the two opposite side walls including a central        folding line (5), the latch system comprising at least one        carved closure (29), a latch (30) and a spring (31). This latch        (30) is introduced in its closed position into the rod (32) as a        bridge by fixing the walls of the container. The automatic latch        system will preferably be fixed to the container wall by using        rivets (33).    -   A tension member (27) will preferably be a steel cable attached        through one end to the automatic latch system (28) and through        the other end to a pulling handle (25). The tension member (27)        will be covered by a cable-cover guide (26) that will be in turn        fixed to the wall of the container (10). Preferably said        fixation will be made by an adhesive placed between said guide        (26) and said wall of the container (10).    -   A pulling handle (25) for actuating the latch (28) through the        tension member (27), located at the top of each of the two        opposite side walls including a central folding line (5),        comprising an inner handle and an outer handle attached to each        other on both sides of the opposite side walls including a        central folding line (5).

1. Container with foldable load platform, comprising a base platform, aload container itself that is foldable and a lid for covering theassembly, both in the folded position and in the unfolded position, theload container having at least four side walls parallel in pairs,characterized in that two opposite side walls include a central foldingline (5) and two side folding lines (6) parallel and separated by adistance from the corners (7) designed to create internal spaces (8) inits folded position, defined between end portions (9) and other centeredangular portions (10) of the side walls including the folding lines (5and 6) and between the other two paired side walls, said internal spaces(8) being designed to house fastening elements.
 2. Container withfoldable load platform, according to claim 1, characterized in that thefastening elements comprise parallel bars (17) fixed by their ends tovertical columns (18) arranged in correspondence with the faced endportions (9) and in correspondence with the corner joints (7) of theside walls of the load container (3).
 3. Container with foldable loadplatform, according to claim 1, characterized in that the fasteningelements comprise fixed stops (13) jointly connected to the inner facesof the side walls, both of the different parts (9 and 10) on oppositefoldable walls and on the other two paired walls.
 4. Container withfoldable load platform, according to claim 1, characterized in that thefastening elements comprise separator plates (14) which in turn supportsome combs (15), said separator plates (14) being joined to the sidewalls of the load container (3).
 5. Container with foldable loadplatform, according to claim 1, characterized in that the fasteningelements comprise separator plates (14) associated with a foldablepackages (16) defining separate compartments.
 6. Container with foldableload platform, according to claim 1, characterized in that the fasteningelements comprise some fixed combs (15) fixed on the centered angularportions (10) of the side walls of the load container (3).
 7. Containerwith foldable load platform, according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe fastening elements consist of a crisscross of lamellar bodies (20)hanging from two parallel bars (17) coupled by their ends to somevertical columns (18).
 8. Container with foldable load platform,according to claim 1, characterized in that said container comprises atleast one system for retaining the side walls of the container to thebase platform.
 9. Container with foldable load platform, according toclaim 8, characterized in that the at least one retention system is aretention system via a ramp and locking pin comprising: at least oneramp for each of the two opposite side walls including a central foldingline (5), the at least one ramp being situated on a loading surface ofthe base platform; at least one locking pin in each of the two oppositeside walls including a central folding line (5), the at least onelocking pin being situated in the loading surface of the base; at leastone hole in each of the two opposite side walls including a centralfolding line (5) through which the at least one ramp and the at leastone pin are introduced.
 10. Container with foldable load platform,according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one retentionsystem is a retention system via a latch and cable knob comprising: arod by way of a bridge located in peripheral channels of each of the twoopposite side walls including a central folding line (5); an automaticlatch system located at the same height of the rod in each of the twoopposite side walls including a central folding line (5), the latchsystem comprising at least a carved closure, a latch and a spring; atension member, the tension member being covered by a cable-cover guide,joined by one end to the automatic latch system and by the opposite endto a pulling handle; and, a pulling handle to trigger the latch throughthe tension member, located at the top of each of the two opposite sidewalls including a central folding line (5), comprising an inner handleand an outer handle.